It is hard to imagine that I have enjoyed the Best. Meal. of. my. Life. twice, but then again it is hard to come by friendships that span two generations. Yesterday evening was about much more than food.

The offerings at my beloved Alinea were, once again, an exercise in savoir-faire...

nimble

flawless

playful

sophisticated

genius

honestly, true genius

And we enjoyed those offerings in celebration of a friendship that has moved through...

hot pockets
soccer teams

housewalks

85-10-05 Christmas dinners

camping trips

two weddings

two funerals

endless parenting

and occasional drunkenness.

Leif and Brian met thirty years ago and I met Brian, Ang, and Leif on the very same day seventeen years ago . Needless to say, our lives have been intertwined ever since. The Pettits have always been our friends and it has been a notable privilege to call them neighbors for the past six years. Watching our children develop their own distinct relationships has been a tremendous source of full circle joy for Leif and me. Things cannot always stay the same and we know that things like proximity and a black truffle explosion can be fleeting, but some things like laughter around an oddly familiar dining room table, the living legacy of an extraordinary chef, and a friendship that can stand the test of time are...forever.

Thank you friends, for one of the most memorable evenings of our lives and a friendship we cherish beyond words. Cheers to the many great years to come.